An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has granted an extension of the interim bail for PTI leader Asad Umar, as well as Imran Khan’s two sisters, until October 4. The bail relates to cases concerning the violent incidents that occurred on May 9.
The violent incidents on May 9, which followed Imran Khan’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case, resulted in widespread violence and attacks on important military installations. As a result, the state launched a severe crackdown against the PTI party.
While Imran Khan was released a few days later (although he has since been rearrested in a separate case), numerous PTI workers and high-ranking party members were apprehended. Many of them are still undergoing court proceedings facing serious charges.
Last month, a Lahore ATC allowed the police to re-interrogate several PTI leaders and activists in relation to different cases connected to the May 9 riots. This was due to the addition of new charges, such as mutiny and waging war against the state, in the FIRs.
On September 2, a Lahore ATC extended the pre-arrest bail for Umar and Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, until September 19. The bail was granted in multiple cases related to the May 9 riots, with instructions for the sisters to participate in the investigation. Umar had been discharged in five out of seven cases against him, but his bail was extended in the remaining two cases until today as well.
Today, ATC Judge Abhar Gul presided over the hearing, with Umar and the other suspects appearing before the court and marking their attendance. The court requested the complete investigation record from the police.
When Aleema took the stand, she stated that she had “not been to Jinnah House,” one of the military locations that were vandalized on May 9, and yet she was implicated in the case. She emphasized their pursuit of justice and their demand for fairness.
As a result, the ATC extended the interim bail until October 4 and requested arguments from the lawyers at the next hearing.